Prince William to join East Anglian Air Ambulance at Cambridge Airport

The Duke of Cambridge is to become an air ambulance pilot next spring, it has been announced.

Kensington Palace said Prince William will join the East Anglian Air Ambulance, based at Cambridge Airport, and will fly both day and night shifts.

It will become his main job, but his rota will take into account any duties he will continue to undertake on behalf of the Queen.

A spokesman said the Duke was "hugely excited and motivated" by the role.

"The Duke sees this as a true form of public service, helping people in their most difficult times," he said.

"He regards his work with the RAF search and rescue force as having been an exceptional privilege and the duke wanted to make his own contribution to the outstanding work of the air ambulance service."

"We're delighted His Highness has decided to fly with us" said Patrick Peal, the charity's Chief Executive. "We are confident this will help raise the profile of the charity and other air ambulance charities in the region and across the UK."

The charity said the Duke would fly missions in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Bedfordshire from his Cambridge Airport base.

He will be paid a salary which he will donate in full to the charity, Kensington Palace said.